Tao Te Ching #77: “The Way of heaven reduces excess and fills need, but the way of humans is not so”

The Way of heavenis like drawing a bow:the high is lowered,the low is raised;excess is reduced,need is fulfilled.The Way of heavenreduces excess and fills need,but the way of humans is not so:they strip the needyto serve those who have too much.

– Thomas Cleary

The Way of Heavenis like stringing a bowpulling down the highlifting up the lowshortening the longlengthening the shortthe Way of Heaventakes from the longand supplements the shortunlike the Way of Humankind which takes from the shortand gives to the longwho can take the longand give it to the worldonly those who possess the Waythus do sages not depend on what they developor claim what they achievethus they choose to hide their skill

– Red Pine

Heaven’s Way, like unto a bow full-drawn—Low end raised, top bent down—Subtracts from the have-moresAnd supplies those in want.Heaven’s Way—to supply who wantsBy taking from the have-mores—Is not the Way of men,Who take from those in needTo serve those who have more.Who will use the surplus to serve this world below?None but men of the Way.Wise rulers for this reasonAct without self-satisfaction,For their deeds shun recognitionTo conceal their contribution.